"We haven't come to that at present." He stood in front of the Brigadier for a moment--an insignificant figure but for the perpetual suggestion of simmering activity that pervaded him; then stepped behind the commanding officer's chair, and there took up his stand without further words.
The Brigadier paid no attention to him.

His mind was fixed upon one subject only.

Moreover, no one ever took Nick Ratcliffe seriously.

It seemed a moral impossibility.
"It is quite plain to me," he said heavily at length, "that the time has come to face the situation.

I do not speak for the discouragement of you brave fellows.